Children & Young People's Partnership

Strengthening Lancaster Universities commitment to widening participation and its communities.

The Children & Young People’s Partnership outreach activities seek to raise young people’s awareness and understanding of higher education through meaningful and positive interactions with the institution and its students.

From pre-school to secondary school, our innovative projects enable pupils and students alike to take part in fun and engaging outreach opportunities both on and off campus.

Our framework of activities also supports schools in meeting the Ofsted and Gatsby 7 benchmark with on-campus activities working to accompany the National Curriculum.

Tab Content: Information for Teachers

Our pre-16 work with schools is available to KS2 groups and targeted KS3. The Children & Young People’s Partnership are committed to providing opportunities to as many young people in the North Lancashire & South Cumbria region.

All our volunteers hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate and have undertaken LCC Safeguarding Lv1 & 2.

Classroom based opportunities

Classroom volunteer placements

Our classroom volunteers are there to support your class by engaging in activities set by the classroom teacher and teaching assistants. The role of the classroom volunteers is to support children on an individual or small group basis as required.

The duration of any placement is flexible and for more information please contact Mark Gardner.

Lancaster’s Window to the World

Lancaster’s Window to the World offers children an opportunity to discover and learn about different cultures and religions in either a classroom setting or an interactive assembly-style presentation.

Due to the popularity of this project, we offer these dates via our mailing list, to be included on future mailing lists please contact Mark Gardner.

On Campus Activities

Be the Change

It's never too soon for your class to start thinking about their future and our Be the Change programme enables children to visit and explore campus and participate in an engaging workshop whilst getting to meet and engage with students from all over the world who have chosen to study at Lancaster.

We currently offer the following project days:

  • Be the Change: Democracy/British Values
  • Be the Change: Leadership & Teamwork
  • Be the Change: Go Green
  • Be the Change: Wellbeing

Due to the popularity of this project, we offer these dates via our mailing list. The mailout, also includes learning topics for each project day and what to expect when visiting Lancaster University. To be included on future mailing lists please contact Mark Gardner.

Travel

Our Be the Change programme also offers a travel bursary per campus visit, this can be claimed immediately after each visit.

Our students

All our volunteers hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate and have undertaken LCC Safeguarding Lv1 & 2.

Tab Content: Information for Students

In this section, you’ll find our core areas of work which include paid opportunities, classroom volunteering and chances for our Societies to make a positive impact within the education system.

Be the Change

Be the Change is a campus-based workshop style opportunity in which student staff are employed to deliver to KS2 classes from North Lancashire & South Cumbria throughout the academic year.

Recruitment for this role is undertaken by the Employment Recruitment Service.

Classroom volunteers (Pre School, Primary School & Secondary Schools)

A good way to decide if teaching is right for you is by gaining experience in the classroom guided by experienced and supportive teachers. Completing voluntary placements in schools can work to your advantage - particularly when applying for school-led positions in the future.

On completion of the expression of interest, you’ll be invited to a meeting to look at suitability and what options are potentially available.

You can expect from any placement;

  • Opportunity to observe and learn from experienced teachers.
  • Increased awareness of the national curriculum/education system/pre school set up.
  • Be able to future evidence your commitment through volunteering.
  • Gaining practical classroom-based examples that you can use at interview, such as small group leading and classroom management.

Express your interest here

Window to the World

Are you a member of Society with a passion for community outreach?

If so, we’d love to hear from you because Lancaster’s Window to the World aims to offer children an opportunity to discover and learn about different cultures and religions in either the classroom setting or an assembly-style interactive presentation.

To have a chat about how we can support your Society please contact Mark Gardner.

Important information

Once you are signed up to one of our projects a member of our team will be in touch to talk you through what happens next.

Everyone involved in the Children & Young People’s Partnership will need to undertake a DBS Check and complete an online Safeguarding Module. There is no cost to the applicant for either of these.

DBS Checks

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was established in 2012 and carries out checks to ensure people are safe to be working with children or young people. This is not an exam or a test but a DBS certificate helps to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children.

Safeguarding Training (online module)

Schools play an essential role in protecting children from abuse whilst creating safe environments for children and young people through robust safeguarding practices. Safeguarding training ensures that adults who work in the school, including volunteers, don't pose a risk to children.

This online module provides participants with information and techniques to ensure children and young people are supported but also to protect you and your colleagues.